Bolt Down Ground Anchors: What You Need to Know

Bolt down ground anchors provide a highly effective alternative to concrete-in ground anchors. Read our latest post to learn what you need to know about reliable, bolt down ground anchors.

In our previous post we highlighted the vital importance of robust, secure anchor points for attaching valuable vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters and ATVs. We provided some interesting details about motorcycle theft statistics in the UK and how secured motorbikes are around 60% less likely to be stolen. A key security recommendation made by police forces, security professionals and others is to always securely attach valuable motorbikes to immovable anchor points.

Concrete-In and Bolt Down Ground Anchors

A primary recommendation is to install robust anchors wherever they are needed. For example, if there is a need to secure an ATV, inside a barn, shed or garage, then it makes sense to install a robust anchor and ensure the valuable vehicle is always locked and chained to the anchor point, even when the shed or barn is locked. And if a valuable motorbike needs to be left outdoors, perhaps in a driveway or parking area, then installing robust anchors and always chaining the motorcycle to the anchor point will deter and prevent theft.

Installable security ground anchors come in two basic flavours: concrete-in and bolt-down. The bolt-down variety tends to be more popular due primarily to the easier installation requirements and the wider range of applicable usage sites.

Concrete-In Ground Anchors - Advantages and Disadvantages

High quality concrete-in ground anchors, such as our highly acclaimed BigBoy3, designed and developed by Insight Security, provide one of the most secure anchoring options for valuable vehicles, equipment and tools. Constructed from high quality, hardened steel, these anchors are extremely resistant to all forms of potential attack including the use of power tools such as angle grinders, verified in the achievement of Sold Secure Powerd Cycle Diamond rating.

When installed correctly, Sold Secure approved concrete-in ground anchors cannot be readily removed without the use of heavy tools and a great deal of time and effort. They offer no exposed areas of weakness that can potentially be exploited by thieves and have been rigorously tested in order to gain Sold Secure approval.

Highly visible concrete-in ground anchors present a strong anti-theft deterrent. When combined with heavy duty, high security chains and high quality locks most would-be thieves will simply move on to find easier targets.

Concrete-in ground anchors are ideal for fixed locations such as private home garages, driveways, parking areas and equipment storage yards. Wherever permanent security anchors are needed, concrete-in ground anchors will provide exactly what’s needed to protect valuable vehicles and equipment.

But there are some important disadvantages of concrete-in ground anchors that need to be noted. The primary negative aspect is the installation. Essentially, these ground anchors need to be set in concrete which requires the excavation of a suitably sized hole in what should already be a robust substrate. This takes time and effort as poor installation significantly weakens the effectiveness of these ground anchors. Importantly, the strength of the substrate in which the concrete-in anchor is set significantly affects the robustness of the anchorage.

Another potential disadvantage is that some concrete-in ground anchor designs present a trip hazard as they protrude above the ground when not in use. Our BigBoy3 ground anchor is cleverly designed to be telescopic which means, when its not in use, the anchor retracts almost entirely to ground level allowing it to be safely driven over and not present a trip hazard. But some concrete-in ground anchor designs protrude above ground, presenting a trip hazard, making them unsuitable for use in areas where children play or people might be put at risk, especially after dark.

The significant installation requirements for concrete-in ground anchors can also make this form of secure anchorage unsuitable for use in rented properties where there are restrictions on property modifications.

Bolt Down Ground Anchors - Advantages and Disadvantages

Bolt down ground anchors are secured in place using high quality security fixings such as security expansion bolts. This form of security anchor offers a number of important advantages.

Unlike concrete-in ground anchors, bolt down anchors don’t require any significant preparatory work. There is no need to excavate a large hole in what might be very solid concrete and there is no need to pour concrete and wait for it to fully cure before the anchorage is useable. Bolt down ground anchors can be relatively quickly installed using standard tools and once installed the anchorage is immediately usable. 

Properly installed high quality bolt down ground anchors, such as the Squire GA6 ground anchor, have been rigorously tested and certified. This model has achieved Sold Secure Motorcycle Diamond rating which means it has been subjected to a wide range of common attack techniques and withstood them all.

Another important advantage of bolt-down anchor designs is that although they are generally called ‘ground anchors’ they can be used on vertical surfaces, as long as they are adequately robust. This means these anchors can be used as wall anchors making them extremely versatile and appropriate for locations where the ground surface is simply unsuitable for either a concrete-in ground anchor or a bolt-down ground anchor.

A key advantage of the bolt down ground anchor design is that they can be uninstalled and taken to a new location without causing any significant damage. This makes this form of anchorage highly suitable for properties, such as rented homes, where permanent alterations are not permitted.

And like their concrete-in counterparts, high quality bolt down ground anchors present an extremely effective, visual anti theft deterrent. When a potential thieve finds a vehicle has been attached to a robust bolt down ground anchor using high security chains and locks they are likely to turn away and seek an easier target.

But there are some noteworthy disadvantages of bolt down ground anchors that should not be overlooked.

The security provided by a bolt down ground anchor is only as good as the substrate to which the anchor is bolted. Attaching one of these devices to poor quality concrete or masonry means the anchorage would not offer the required level of security.

Another potential weakness of the bolt down security anchor design is the fact they are attached using bolts, which might attract attacks using power tools including angle grinders and drills. While bolt heads might be concealed or protected with ball bearings, hammered into the hexagonal tool recess, some criminals might still attempt to drill the bolts out.

A key disadvantage of the bolt down security anchor design is that, when used at ground level, some designs present a notable above ground protrusion which can be a trip hazard. In some situations, such as shared accommodation properties, this hazard would not be acceptable or tolerated.

Bolt down ground anchors can also become loosened over time, which is something to look out for. If the substrate to which the device is bolted degrades or is of low quality, or if the installation is affected by freezing temperatures, and the ingress of moisture, the anchorage can be weakened.

How to Correctly Install a Bolt Down Ground Anchor

As noted, the efficacy of a bolt down ground anchor is significantly influenced by the quality of the installation and substrate to which the anchor is attached.

Before installing a bolt down ground anchor it therefore makes sense to assess the proposed anchorage location. Ideally, the spot should be close to where the vehicle or equipment needs to be secured, not be subject to water pooling or drainage issues and should not present a trip hazard or obstruction once installed.

The substrate to which the anchor is to be bolted should be carefully inspected. The general recommendation is that bolt down ground anchors should ideally be attached to a solid concrete substrate that is at least 100mm thick and the concrete should not be cracked or crumbling. Block paving, flagstones or similar surfaces are not suitable for securely attaching a bolt down ground anchor.

If the plan is to attach the security anchor to vertical wall surface then the wall material must be determined as this influences the types of fastenings that are most suitable. For solid masonry, such as brick or concrete blocks, fixing options include expansion anchors, sleeve anchors and possibly chemical anchors utilising resin. Importantly, security anchors should not be bolted to the mortar joints between bricks or building blocks as this material is much weaker than surrounding masonry. Generally, its best practice to attach a wall anchor toward the foundations of a vertical wall. Attaching higher up could, in some circumstances, enable the wall to be purposely toppled.

Its always important to assess whether the installation location can withstand the load that it might be subjected to. Bolts, attaching the security ground anchor, must remain securely in place even if the anchor is violently tugged or subjected to other forms of attack.

The surface of the proposed installation location must be flat as the anchor needs to be flush-mounted to it without presenting any gaps that could potentially be used to insert a leverage tool.

Having determined and verified the site for the bolt down security anchor, gather the necessary tools and equipment. These will generally include:

• The selected bolt down security anchor along with suitable fastenings (often provided with the security anchor).
• Heavy duty hammer drill and masonry drill bits of the required size.
• Torque wrench to tighten the bolts as required.
• Safety equipment including goggles, mask and gloves.
• Vacuum cleaner or can of compressed air and brush to deal with dust and debris.
• Pencil or marker.
• Possibly, chemical resin for added strength.

Step by Step Bolt Down Ground Anchor Installation Process

1. Start by positioning the security anchor exactly where it is intended to be installed. Make certain the anchor is flush with the surface and there are no gaps around the anchor base. Also, double-check there is enough space for a heavy, high security chain to be easily threaded through the anchor aperture. Then carefully mark the centres of the fixing holes.
2. Next, use the hammer drill fitted with the correct masonry drill bit to carefully drill the required holes. Ensure the holes are drilled perfectly at right angles with the surface and not at a skewed angle. Drill to the depth required for the security fastenings.
3. The next important step that is sometimes overlooked is to thoroughly clean out the drilled holes. A vacuum cleaner or can of compressed air is very useful in removing dust that can otherwise adversely affect the strength and reliability of the fastening.
4. For maximum strength consider applying some chemical resin in the bolt holes, just before inserting the bolts. This step isn’t always essential but it can make a difference if the substrate is old and a little weak.
5. Place the security anchor over the holes (before the resin has had time to set) and insert each of the fixing bolts into the holes. Use the torque wrench to progressively tighten the bolts, gradually and evenly.
6. After leaving adequate time for the resin to fully cure (around 1 to 2 hours), inspect the installation to make certain the anchor is fully flush with the surface and there are no gaps. Then give the anchor some firm tugs to make certain there is no movement.
7. With the security anchor firmly bolted in place make the bolt heads tamper proof by hammering ball bearings (generally provided) into the hexagonal tool recesses in the bolt heads or by using provided bolt covers or plugs.

Do Bolt Down Ground Anchors Prevent Theft?

Reports describing how the use of bolt down security anchors have prevented theft are rare as thieves don’t tend to announce their failed theft attempts. But there are many endorsements and recommendations from police forces, security professionals and motorcycling organisations. The generally agreement is that reliable security anchors should be used, alongside other security precautions, as part of a multi-layered security strategy.

While wall anchors and bolt down ground anchors are not entirely foolproof they prevent all but the most determined and well equipped thieves. They work by:

• Presenting a highly visible psychological deterrent. When confronted with a motorbike or vehicle secured to an immovable anchorage using high security chains and locks most thieves simply give up and move on.
• Delaying and thwarting attack attempts. High quality bolt down ground anchors coupled with high security chains and locks require time, equipment and a lot of effort to overcome. Most thieves will not risk being caught attempting to breach these layers of security using power tools and brute force.
• Preventing the common “lift and go” motorcycle theft method. By securely locking a motorcycle in place, using a reliable security anchor, the motorbike can’t be simply lifted into the back of a truck. Thieves will move on to find other targets.

Always Use High Security Chains and Locks

As previously reported, secured motorbikes are 60% less likely to be stolen. The specific security precautions that are known to have contributed to this insightful statistic are these:

• Attachment to Ground Anchors (both concrete in and bolt down). This security precaution is rated as “very high” in anti-theft efficacy. Anchoring vehicles to immovable anchor points prevents them from being wheeled or lifted away. And attachment to a robust anchor is a highly visual anti-theft deterrent.
• Heavy Duty High Security Chains. High quality heavy duty chains are known to have prevented many attempted motorcycle thefts. Bennetts motorcycle insurer data demonstrates that motorcycles secured with Sold Secure diamond rated chains are rarely stolen. Thieves tend to avoid vehicles secured with chains that require a noisy power tool (angle grinder) to cut through them.
• High Security Padlocks. Coupling high security chains with equally high security padlocks that are resistant to bolt cropper and angle grinder attacks is recognised as a proven security precaution.
• Disc Locks. Disc locks, some of which are equipped with alarms, provide another valuable layer of motorbike security, recommended by security professionals.
• Motorbike Alarms and Immobilisers. Alarms will attract attention if a thief attempts to steal and motorbike and factory-fitted immobilisers prevent hot-wiring and bypass starting.
• GPS Trackers. While GPS trackers don’t prevent theft they are very effective in recovering stolen vehicles by identifying where they have been taken.
• CCTV and Security Lighting. Well illuminated areas that are monitored by CCTV are far less favoured by criminals who don’t want to be witnessed.
• Motorbike Covers and Storage. Concealing valuable motorbikes using motorbike covers or storing motorcycles inside locked storage locations, where they can’t be seen, is another valuable security precaution that makes a difference. Using unbranded motorcycle covers with locking eyelets can help prevent thieves from identifying popular, valuable models as well as delay any theft attempts.
• Carefully Chosen Parking Locations. Taking care to park motorbikes in well lit, populated and overlooked parking areas makes vehicles far less likely to be targeted. When parking at home it always makes sense to conceal the motor bike and ensure it is securely locked to an immovable anchor point using high security chains and locks.

For more information on Bolt Down Ground Anchors: What You Need to Know talk to Insight Security